CLSU- Agricultural Engineering Board Exam Review Materials

Farm Power

Department Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

College of Engineering

I. Introduction
Main Topics/Items Need to Study in Farm Power
Units and Conversions and Heating Value of Common Fuels
Internal Combustion Engines and Tractors
Renewable Energy Conversions and Technologies
Terminology and Problems

II. Units and Conversion

Important conversions to remember
Length: 1 mi – 5280 ft; 1 in = 2.54 cm; 1m – 3.28 ft; 1mi = 1.609km
Weight: 1 kg = 2.2 lb; 1,000kg = 1 ton
Force: 1N= 12 kg.m/s
Power: 1 hp = 746 Watts = 33,000ft-lb/min, 1W = 1J/s = 3.413 Btu/h
Energy: 1 hp-hr = 2545 BTU; 055J = BTU; cal =4.19J: 1 ft-lb=1.36 J; 1 kWhr =3.6 MJ
Area: 1 ha = 10,000m2
Volume: 1 gal =3.785 li

Heating Values of Common Fuels

Gasoline = 20,500 BTU/lb = 47.7 MJ/kg (C8H18, octane)
Diesel= 18,500 BTU/lb = 43 MJ/kg (C16H34, cetane)
Kerosene = 19,800 BTU/lb = 46.1 MJ/kg (C12H26, dodecane)
Ethanol= 11,600 BTU/lb = 27.0 MJ/kg (RON =110)
LNG= 22,300 BTU/lb = 51.9 MJ/kg
Coconut Shell= 9,965 BTU/lb = 23.17 MJ/kg
Charcoal= 13,210 BTU/lb = 30.72 MJ/kg
Rice Hull= 16.8 MJ/kg Corn Cob= 18.9 MJ/kg

Internal Combustion Engines

A. Terminologies
Engine, Cycle, Events, Stroke, TDC, BDC, Revolution, ICE, ECE, Sl, , 2 –stroke engine, water/air cooled
engines, 1 or 4-cylinder engines, l-head, L-head engine, direct injection or indirect injection engine, etc.

B. Main Engine Component Parts.

1. Cylinder block – the combustion chamber, it confines the expanding gases (cylinder head and
cylinder)
2. Cylinder – confines the piston for its reciprocating motion.
3. Cylinder head – houses the valves, forms the cover of the cylinder block.
4. Valves – allow the flow of fuel, air or exhaust gases.
5. Piston – a hollow cylinder with closed top upon which expanding gases act, transmitting forces to
other parts.
6. Connecting rod – transmits power from piston to crankshaft. Converts linear motion of the piston
to a rotary motion of the crankshaft.
7. Crankshaft – receives power from the piston and transmits it to other parts to do useful work.
8. Piston rings – retain compression; reduce cylinder wall contact thereby reducing friction losses
and wear.
9. Piston pin – join connecting rod and piston.
10. Flywheel – store inertia, keep the engine at uniform speed when the crankshaft is not receiving
power from the piston.
11. Crankcase – supports the crankshaft and a reservoir for the lubricating oil.
12. Intake manifold – the inlet duct for fuel and air or just air for diesel engines.
13. Exhaust manifold – the outlet duct fro exhaust gases.

C. Physical Nomenclatures:
1. Bore (d) – is the diameter of the engine cylinder.
2. Stroke (l) – is the distance the piston moves in one direction.
3. Piston displacement (Pd) – volume displaced by piston in one stroke (= pi * d 2/4*l) this is per
stroke! Also called “swept volume”).
4. Clearance Volume (Cv) – the volume occupied by the fuel and air mixtures or air alone when the
piston is at the top dead center.
5. Total Cylinder Volume (V) – the sum of piston displacement and clearance volume (=P d + Cv).
6. Compression Ration (Cr) – it is the ratio of the volume of fuel charge at the beginning of
compression to the volume at the end of compression (=P d/Cv+ 1)
7. Engine Efficiency – measures the ability to convert fuel into useful work.
8. Displacement Volume (Vd): of an engine – is the total swept volume of all pistons during power
strokes occurring in a period of one minute. Unit is cc/minute.

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Vd = A.l.n (A = piston area, l = piston stroke, n = no of power strokes per minute for all cylinders.
9. Piston Speed (Sp) – of an engine is the total travel of the piston in a cylinder during a period of
one minute. Sp = 2.l.n (l=piston stroke, N=engine rpm). High-speed tractor engine, Sp = 300-500
m/min.

D. Engine Auxiliary Systems and Functions (Diesel or Gasoline engines differ in may ways)
1. Fuel and Air System
a. Meter correct amount of fuel as demanded by the engine load (air is fixed).
b. Accurately time the beginning and ending of the fuel injection.
c. Inject fuel in combustion chamber against high pressure in the cylinder.
d. Atomize fuel and assist in mixing with air.

2. Lubrication System
a. Reduce friction and wear by separating rubbing parts.
b. Assist in cooling the engine by absorbing heat from parts.
c. Act as seal between the piston and cylinder walls
d. Assist in cleaning the engine.

Types of Lubricants
a. Crankcase oil – thin free flowing, SAE 30 or 40, oil for engine internal parts.
b. Transmission oil – heavier and higher viscosity, oil for transmission gears.
c. Grease – slow, now-flowing lubricant, used in wheel bearings

3. Cooling System
a. Maintains engine temperature to the ideal operating conditions.
b. Assists in rapid engine warm up.
Note: Without the cooling system functioning properly the following may occur: (a) the
temperature may reach several thousand degrees and the cylinder walls and pistons may
expand breaking down some metal parts, (b) the lubricating oil may be destroyed, and (c) free
ignition may occur.

4. Fuel and Ignition System

a. Compress air at high pressure enough to achieve temperature for ignition.
b. Fuel is injected into the combustion chamber at very high pressure.

5. Valve Mechanism. Valve Timing = an important parameter for proper engine operation.
a. L- head and I head mechanism (rocker arm assembly, valves, tappets, cam, camshaft,
pushrods, etc.)
b. Spiral valve timing diagram and range of operation of engine valves.
c. Types of valve timing (zero, minus, and plus lap)
d. Terms for closing and opening of valves (pre and post admission, pre and post release)

6. Governor System
a. Maintains engine rpm and different torque load.

7. Power Transmission System

a. Receive, exert and transmit motive

Component Parts of Power Transmission System

(a) Clutch
- Transmit power from the flywheel
- Absorbs impact load
- Used for gradual application of load to engine
- Permits the change in gears without stopping the engine.

(b) Gear box

- Supply different speeds of travel
- Supply necessary torque at different loads.
- Used for idling

(c) Differential
- Supply different speeds of ground wheel when turning
- Functions as a second speed reduction point in the power train..

(d) Brake System

- Used to reduce the speed or stop the vehicle

Power of an Engine:

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A. Definitions
1. Indicated Mean Effective Pressure (IMEP). It is the average pressure in kilograms per square
centimeter on the piston during the power stroke only. It is measured by an engine indicator. It is
also expressed in pounds per square inch.
2. Indicated Horse Power (IHP). It is the total horsepower developed by all the cylinders and
received by pistons, disregarding frictions and losses within the engine. It may be calculated (in
metric units) by,

IHP = P*L*A*N*n
76*60

Where:
P – indicated mean effective pressure (kg/sq.cm)
L – piston stroke (m)
A – piston area (sq. cm.)
N – number of power strokes per minute
n – number of cylinders

Note: To convert to kW simply multiply by 746 kW/hp

3. Brake Horse Power (BHP). It is the horsepower available at the crankshaft and is measured by
a suitable dynamometer. In metric system it is known as “Pferdekraft” or P.S.
4. Brake Mean Effective Pressure (BMEP). It is calculated from the brake horsepower (in metric
units) of the engine as shown below:

BMEP = BHP* 75*60

L*A*N*n

Brake means effective pressure of an engine cannot be measured. It is merely a value used for
comparing the mean pressures in the engine cylinders. It is expressed in kg/cm 2

5. Mechanical Efficiency. It is the ratio of the brake horsepower to the indicated and is expressed
as:

BHP
Mechanical Efficiency = *100
IHP

6. Volumetric Efficiency. It is defined as the ratio of actual weight of air inducted by the engine on
the intake stroke, to the theoretical weight of air that should have been inducted by filling the
piston displacement volume with air at atmospheric temperature and pressure.
7. Specific Fuel Consumption. It is the quantity of fuel consumed by an oil engine on the basis of
per horsepower hour. It is expressed in terms of kg/hp-hr (or lb/hp-hr).
8. Thermal Efficiency. It is the ratio of the horsepower output of an engine to the fuel horsepower.

B. Examples:

Example 1. A Massey Ferguson 1035 diesel tractor has a three cylinder, four stroke cycle engine.
The cylinder bore is 88.9 mm, stroke is 127 mm, compression ratio is 16.5:1, belt horse power is 32
and engine speed is 2000 rpm. Calculate the (a) piston displacement, (b) displacement volume, (c)
piston speed and, (d) stroke to bore ratio.

Solution:

pi*d2 3.1416 *(8.89)2

Area of the piston = ------- = ------------------ = 62 cm2
4 4

I = length of piston stroke = 127mm = 12.7 cm

N = no. of power strokes/min = 2000/2 = 1000
N*n = total no. of power strokes/min = 1000 * 3 = 3000

a. Piston displacement = 62cm2 * 12.7 cm = 787.4 cc

b. Total displacement volume = 62 cm2 * 12.7 cm * 3000/1000 = 2362 li
c. Piston speed = 2 * 12.7 cm * 2000/1000 = 50.8 m/min
d. Stroke-to-bore ratio = 127/88.9 = 1.43

Example 2. A four cylinder gas engine has a cylinder diameter of 25 cm, a stroke of 50 cm and runs at 154 rpm.
The engine is a four stroke cycle with an indicated mean effective pressure of 7.5 kg/cm 2, calculate (a) IHP, (b)
BHP, (c) BMEP, and stroke-to-bore ratio.

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Assume the mechanical efficiency of the engine as 86.4%

Area of piston = pi * d2/4 = (3.1416 *252)/4 = 546.07 cm2
Length of stroke = 50/100 = 0.5 m
No. of power strokes = 154/2 = 77 per cylinder
Total no. of power strokes = 77 * 4 = 308
a. IHP = PLANn/4500 = 75 * 0.5*546.07*308/4500 = 130.8 hp
b. BHP = 130.80*86.4/100 = 113.01 hp
c. BMEP = 75*86.4/100 = 6.47
d. Stroke-to-bore ratio = 50/25 = 2

Estimation of Tractor Size

The primary tillage operations such as plowing and harrowing demand the highest draft requirements so that the
initial estimation of tractor size is usually based on them.

Ways to estimate the tractor size.

1. Use of specific draft

Unit draft – is defined as the specific resistance of a given type of soil at a given moisture content to allow
the passage of a given tillage implement. It is expressed in force per unit area (psi or kg/cm 2)

Table 1. Unit draft of different soils.

Type of Soil Unit Draft (psi) Type of Soil Unit Draft (psi)
1. Sandy soil 3 5. Silt loam, dry 6-7
2. Sandy loam, moist 3-4 6. Clay loam, moist 6-7
3. Sandy loam, dry 4-6 7. Clay loam, dry 7-8
4. Silt loam, moist 5-6 8. Heavy clay 10-11

The steps for initial estimation of tractor size are as follows:

a. Determine the unit draft of the soil.
b. Calculate the draft offered by the implement.
c. Calculate the horsepower requirement.
d. Estimate the tractor size.

If the drawn pull is the only basis for the sizing, the tractor size is calculated by multiplying the drawbar pull with
tractor factor of about 1.25. The following examples shows how it is estimated.

Example 1. Estimate the draft requirement, the drawbar horsepower and the tractor size for an operation using a
disc plow, 28” in diameter, with a furrow width of 12”, a depth of cut of 10”, with 4 bottoms. The type o soil is clay
loam (dry) and working at an average speed of travel of 3.5 mphh.

Solution.
a. The Draft requirement.
Draft = A * Unit draft
Unit draft = 8 psi from Table 1 for clay loam, dry.
Area = width*depth of cut*no. of bottoms.
= 12” * 10”* 4 = 480 in2
Draft = 480 in2 * 8 psi = 3480 lbs.

b. The drawbar horsepower.

S*D 3.5 * 3480

DHP= ______ = ___________ = 35.84 hp
375 375

c. Estimated tractor size.

Tractor size = 35.84 hp * 1.25 = 44.8 hp

A tractor having a drawbar horsepower of more than 45 hp should be recommended.

2. Use of Specific Implement Resistance.

Several tillage implements offer specific resistance to agricultural soils. Tables are also provided for such values of
resistance. The procedure is the same as above. Specific implement resistance are found in AE Handbook for many
farm implements.

Other Terms Related to Tractor Power.

1. Hydraulic horsepower – is the fluid power required by the implement from the hydraulic system of the tractor or
engine. It has the following formula.

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(flow,gpm)*(pressure, psi)
Hhp = ______________________
1714

2. PTO horsepower – is the power developed at the power take off (PTO) shaft of the tractor and available for
rotating rotavators, mowers, etc.
3. Drawbar horsepower-is the power developed at the hitch or drawbar and available for pulling, dragging or
similar tractive effort. In operation, the drawbar horsepower would be equal to BHP less the power cosumed
in moving the tractor itself.

C. Types of Tractors
1. Two-wheel Tractor
 also called pedestrian tractor, power tiller, walking tractor
 uses single cylinder engines
2. Four-Wheel Tractor
 Compact class (less than 32 hp)
 Standard class (greater than 32 hp)

Alternative Farm Power

Solar Energy

A. Definitions.
1. Solar constant – this is the amount of solar energy received per unit time
on a unit area of surface perpendicular to the radiation and at the outer limit of the atmosphere when the
earth is at its mean distance from the sun. The value of the solar constant is 1353 W/m 2
2. Direct radiation – the solar radiation received by the earth’ surface without
having been deflected/intercepted or absorbed by the atmosphere. The maximum bean radiation receives at
the surface of the earth at sea level on clear days is about 1000 W/m 2
3. Diffuse radiation – the solar energy received by the earth’s surface that is
first intercepted by the atmosphere (i.e. clouds, dust particles, etc.) and re-radiated to the ground.
4. Total solar radiation – the sum of direct or beam radiation and diffuse
solar radiation.
5. Pyranometer – a reliable and convenient measuring device for total (or
global) solar radiation.
6. Pyrheliometer – a device for measuring direct solar radiation.
7. Solar Collector – a device that serves to collect solar radiant energy and
transform it to some other useful form of energy. Such collectors may be of flat plate type of focusing type.
8. Photovoltaic cell – a device use to convert solar radiation directly into
electricity. The most common type is single crystal silicon solar cell (current efficiency is 16%). A 55 Watt-
peak application costs about P25,000.00. This is the present set-back of the technology : high investment
cost.

B. Regional Variation of Solar Energy

From the average monthly insolation values taken from PAG-ASA stations located at each region in the
country, results showed that the northern regions (Regions I, II, III) receives the highest insolation at an average of
5.2 kWh/m2d with peak of 6-7 kWh/m 2d during the months of April and May. Regions VII and VII receives an
average of 4.1 kWh/m2d with peaks of 5 kWh/m 2d. For the rest of the regions, the average is 4.4 kWh/m 2d with
peaks at 6 kWh/m2d.

C. Magnitude of Solar Energy Received by the Earth’s Surface

The following figure shows a simplified sketch for the paths of solar radiation. Radiation (direct + diffuse)
absorbed by the earth is about 690 W/m 2. This figure is an average value; it varies according to site (latitude),
season (time of year), time of day, climate, particularly cloudiness. It may reach a value of 1100 W/m 2 or more at
noon on a clear day and may go down to 100 W/m2 or less during heavy overcast.

Wind Energy

A. Power/Energy from Wind

The power energy is taken as the flux of kinetic energy per vertical square meter. This flux is mv 2/2 where v
is wind velocity. With m = pv the flux is pv 3/2. Thus, the power in the wind increases with the cube of the wind
speed. On a given area of the rotor in m3, the theoretical power is given by:

Theoretical wind power =AV3/, Watts

Where,  = air density 1.25 kg.m3

A= area of rotor, m2
= pi*d2/4 with d = diameter of windmill in meters
v= wind speed in m/s

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Using Froude momentum theory, the maximum energy or power recoverable from the wind has been
determined by Btz, Munk and Hoff as 59.3% of the kinetic energy motion. Of this available energy, the amount that
is actually utilized depends upon the aerodynamic efficiency of the blades, the friction losses in gearing, power
transmission and wind velocity gradient due to ground effects, vibration dampening and other factors. These factors
can be lumped into an overall systems efficiency factor.

Power Coefficient

The power coefficient of a windmill is the ration of actual power delivered to the theoretical wind power.
This is yet another way of calculating actual wind power since the power coefficient of most windmill types are
recorded. Table 2 gives the various power coefficient of wind turbines.

Table 2. Various Power Coefficient of Wind Turbines.

Windmill Type Power Coefficient Tip Speed Ratio References

1. Four arm type 0.25 Baumeister, 1967
2. Multi-bladed 0.15 0.85 Baumeister, 1967
3. Savonius 0.31 0.90 Khan, 1974
4. Darrieus 0.35 6.0 Black, 1976
5. Sail type 0.20 1.60
6. Twisted metal blades 0.31 2.15
7. Three-blade rotor 0.49 5.8
8. Two-blade rotor 0.45 8.0

B. Types of Windmills

1. According to Orientation of Shafting

- Vertical Axis Windmills (Darrieus, Savonius, etc)
- Horizontal Axis Windmills (Multi-bladed, two, three bladed, etc.)
- Combination (cross-flow or inclinec)
2. According to Blade Material
- Sail type
- Metal bladed
- Wooden
3. According to Shaft Rotational Speed
- High speed (single, two-bladed or less than four blades;>300 rpm)
- Low speed (multi-bladed, high torque for water pumping)

D. Areas in the Country with High Wind Power Potential

Table 5. Provinces with High Wind Power Potential (data from PAGASA).

Locations Mean Annual Prevailing Wind Average Windspeed (kph)

1. Appari NE 11
2. Manila SE 12
3. Iloilo NE 16
4. General Santos NE/N 10
5. Lucena & Romblon NE 10
6. Surigao & Laoag NE,N 10
7. Vigan & Legaspi N,NE 11
8. Basco, Batanes NE 16
9. Cuyo, Palawan NE 18

E. Selection of Windmill Types

In the selection of windmills, either for design or acquisition purposes, the following should be considered.
1. Windspeed characteristics of the site
- average windspeed if possible Weibull distribution
- hourly data is appropriate
2. Characteristics performance of windmill
- efficiencies
- power performance curves
- power coefficient
- torque coeficient
3. Application
- high torque for mechanical purposes (e.g. water pumping)
- high speed for electrical power generation
4. Fabrication Technology
5. Initial Capital Cost and Maintenance Cost
6. Control Measures During Typhoons
7. Life/Durability/Warranty

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Water Power
A. Two types of water masses movement to generate power
1. falling/flowing of streams of water through force of gravity
2. rise and fall of tides through lunar (and solar) gravity

B. Theoretical Power
The power theoretically available from a water power site is equal to the weight of water flowing in a given
multiplied by the drop of evaluation (the “head”) of water. The units are in kilowatt or horsepower. This is
mathematically given by:

Q*H
Theoretical Power (kilowatt) = ------------------
102
Where: H = head in meters
Q = mass flow rate in kg/sec
=p*V*A
p = density of water (1000kg/m3)
V = velocity of water stream in m/s
A = cross-sectional area of water stream in m2
C. Actual Power
The actual power is about 60-80% less than the theoretical power due to the following (i.e. overall
efficiencies):
a. hydraulic loses in conduits and turbines
b. mechanical loses in bearings and power transmission systems
c. electrical loses in generators, station use and transmission (for hydro-electric)
D. Water Power Generating Devices

Water power generating devices can be classified according to the following:

1. Hydraulic rotating prime movers
- water wheels (overshot, undershot, breast)
- tub wheel or flutter wheels
- turbines (Pelton, Francis, Kaplan, Nagler, etc.)
2. Hydraulic rams
3. Hydraulic air compressors

Biomass Energy

A. Sources of Biomass Available for Energy

1. Livestock Manures (cattle, pigs, poultry, etc.)
2. Crop Residues (rice straw and hulls, corn stalks and cobs, sugarcane bagasse)
3. Fuelwood (ipil-ipil, hardwoods)
4. Sugar Crops (sugarcane for ethanol production)
5. Household and Urban Refuse (newspaper, yard waste and food wastes)
6. Rural and Municipal Sewage
7. Aquatic Plants (water hyacinth)
8. Energy Farming (fast growing tees, oil and hydrocarbon crops, etc.)

B. Biomass Conversion Processes

1. Thermochemical Conversion
a. gasification (downdraft gasifiers, updraft and fluidized bed)
b. pyrolysis and carbonization
c. combustion (cook stoves)
2. Biochemical Conversion
a. Ethanol production
b. Biogas production (anaerobic digestion)
- Indian Gobar gas Plant, Chinese Dome Type, Taiwan Rectangular Concrete Reactors

D. Design and Calculation of a Simple Biogas Plant

E.
The following tables give some data to design a simple biogas digester.
Gas/Yield/animal/day
Type Manure per day (kg) Gas/kg weight (Liters/kg) Mixing Ratios
(liters)
1 head cattle 10 36 360 1:1 to 1:2
1 water buffalo 15 36 540 1:1 to 1:2
1 pig (50 kg) 2.25 78 180 1:1
1 chicken (2kg) 0.18 62 11.2 1:1 to 1:3
Human excreta 0.40 70 28 1:1

The retention time normally varies between 30-60 days.

A. Human and Animal Power

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Power of mature human being = 0.1 hp

Most important use of man = skill and intellect
Range of power for animals = 0.7 – 1.3 hp
Population of work animals in farm is declining
Advantages and Disadvantages of work animals over engines
Power output of animals while performing different work in paddy fields.

B. Farm Electric Motors

Definition
Advantages of electric motors over other ways of producing mechanical energy
Classifications of electric motors
AC motor principles
Calculation of motor rpm based on frequency of source and number of poles.
Motor ratings and selection
Generalized Performance Curve for Electric Motor (e.g. full load torque, breakdown torque, pull-up torque
and locked rotor)
Locked rotor current calculations
Understanding the items on the nameplate of an electric motor
Operation and maintenance

C. External Combustion Engines

Steam engines and ideal thermodynamic cycles
Stream turbines and ideal thermodynamic cycles

Institutions Working on Energy and Renewable Energy

A. National Institutes
DOE – Department of Energy
NCED – Non-Conventional Energy Division of DOE
REAP – Renewable Energy Association of the Philippines
UP Solar Lab – Establishing Solar Laboratory in the Philippines
UPLB Biomass Energy Lab – Establishing Biomass Laboratory in the Philippines
PCIERD – Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development (DOST)
ITDI – Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST)
FPRDI – Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST)
BEAP – Biomass Energy Association of the Philippines
WEAP – Wind Energy Association of the Philippines
PNOC – Philipppine National Oil Company
NAPOCOR or NPC – National Power Corporation
PRRM – Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement
ERDC – Energy Research and Development Center of PNOC
ANEC – Affiliated Non-Conventional Energy Center of NCED-DOE
ENMAP – Energy Managers Association of the Philippines
ERB – Energy Regulatory Board
RESCOs – Renewable Energy Service Companies
NEA – National Electrification Administration
PAGASA – Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration
EIC – Energy Information Center of DOE
MERALCO – Manila Electric Cooperative

B. Other Commercial Institution

PADISCOR – Pasig Agricultural Development and Industrial Corporation (Design of Biomass Furnaces and
Dryers)
SIBAT – Sibol, Agham at Teknolohiya (Micro-Hydro Development and Installation)
ICEE – Institute for Climate, Energy and Environment
Solar Electric Company, Inc. (Distributor of Solar Energy Equipment and Accessories)
PSES – Philippine Solar Energy Society
SOLAHART, Phils (Distributor of Solar Energy Equipment and Accessories)
Reymill Windmill (Distributor of Windmills for Water Pumping in Luzon)
CONDOR – (Distributor of Windmills for Water Pumping in Iloilo)
CASE – Center for Application of Solar Energy

C. International Institution
NREL – National Renewable Energy Laboratory of US-DOE
USAID – US Agency for International Development
WINROCK – Winthrop Rockefeller International
UNDP – United Nations Development Programme

D. Other Terminologies Related to Energy

EER – Energy Efficiency Ratio
FINESSE – Financing Energy Services for Small-Scale End-Users
CFL – Compact Flourescent Lamp

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DSM – Demand Side Management

IPP – Independent Power Producers
LNG – Liquefied Natural Gas
LPG – Liquefied Petroleum Gas
NES – Non-Conventional Energy Systems

FARM POWER Questions

A. Easy Round Questions

1. The greatest heat loss for a 4-stroke cycle, spark ignition engine with a thermal efficiency of 23% is attributed to
what kind of losses?
a. cooling system b. friction c. exhaust gases d. radiation
2. It is a special gear driven shaft usually protruding from the backside of the tractor rear-axle housing designed to
power integral mounted or trailing implements such as mowers, balers, forage harvesters and corn pickers.
a. 3-pt hitch b. drawbar c. pto differential
3. This engine component part is usually made of cast iron and its primary function is to maintain uniform engine
speed by carrying the crankshaft through those intervals when it is not receiving energy from piston.
a. crankshaft b. governor c. accelerator d. flywheel
4. This gas consist of a mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, methane, nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
a. exhaust gas b. biogas c. producer gas d. LPG
5. This gas is a mixture of butane and propane and may be used to considerable extents as engine fules.
a. biogas b. LPG c. producer gas d. natural gas
6. This unit is a quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 lb of water 10F.
a. specific heat b. thermal conductivity c. heating value d. btu
7. A blend of 90% unleaded gasoline and 10% alcohol is used to some extent as fuel for spark ignition tractors and
automobile engines. What do you call this mixtures?
a. methyl ester b. ethyl ester c. gasohol d. mtbe
8. What do you call the device used for testing the gravity of a liquid?
a. gravimeter b. hygrometer c. hydrometer d. viscosimeter
9. What do you call the fuel-knocking effect in engines whose compression pressures are increased to obtain more
power and speed and at the same time increase efficiency?
a. pre-ignition b. octane rating c. detonation d. explosion
10. It is the partial or complete interruption of the fuel flow in the fuel-feed system as a result of vaporization of the
fuel and the formation of gas bubbles at some point.
a. stalling b. vapor lock c. knocking d. blockage
11. It is added to the exhaust system to reduce hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide pollutants in the exhaust gas
streams.
a. mufflers b. headers c. turbocharger d. catalytic converter
12. It is a device that forces more fuel mixture into the cylinders than would be drawn in under normal atmospheric
conditions, thus making possible a greater power output with the same piston displacement.
a. turbocharger b. throttle lever c. venturi d. supercharger
13. It is a special arrangement of gears so constructed and located in the transmission system of an automotive
machine that it will permit one driving member to rotate slower or faster than the other and at the same time
propel its share of the load.
a. gear box b. automatic transmission c. pto d. differential
14. Determine the center of gravity of a standard rear-wheel drive tractors having a wheel base of 90” and weighing
5400 lbs, measured from the rear axle.
a. 15” b. 30” c. 45” d. 60”
15. Man as a power unit is ineffective and inefficient, he is limited to how much power of continuous output?
a. 746W b. 3,300 ft-lb/min c.0.1 kW d. 0.1 hp-hr
16. What is the single most important property of lubricating oil?
a. reduce wear and tear b. absorb heat c. serve as seal d. viscosity
17. What is the maximum hp for a compact class 4-wheel tractor?
a. 16 b. 32 c. 60 d. 70
18. It is the term applied to the driving force developed by a wheel or other traction device.
a. rolling resistance b. soil thrust c. traction d. inertia
19. It is define as a ration of drawbar hp to the hp input into the final driving axle or axles
a. traction b. tractive power efficiency c. coefficient of traction d. pto hp
20. It is defined as the ratio of the tractor drawbar pull to the dynamic load on the traction device.
a. traction b. travel reduction c. tractive power efficiency d. coefficient of traction

B. Moderate Level Questions

1. What size of engine (hp rating) would you recommend to operate a 120-V, direct current electric generator
having a maximum output of 75A and an operating efficiency of 80%.
a. 12 hp b. 15hp c. 24hp d. 30hp
2. If an engine shows an average output at the crankshaft of 35 hp at 1650 rpm, what torque is exerted in ft-lb?
a. 0034 b. 95 c. 111 d. 130.6
3. An ordinary gasoline engine uses about 0.7 lb of fuel/hp-hr, what is the thermal efficiency?
a. 15% b. 17% c. 28% d. 35%
4. A diesel engine as low as 0.45 of diesel/hp-hr, determine the thermal efficiency.
a. 15% b. 17% c. 28% d. 35%

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CLSU- Agricultural Engineering Board Exam Review Materials

5. Calculate the drawbar hp required to pull a plow with 3-14 in bottoms at a rate of 3.25 mph if the draft is 8 psi
of furrow section and the depth of cut is 7 in.
a. 6.8 b. 13.6 c. 20 d. 27.2
6. What is the firing interval for a 4-stroke cycle V12 engine?
a. 600 b. 900 c. 1800 d. 3600
7. What is the piston displacement for a 4 ½ by 6 in engine with 4 cylinders.
a. 15. 9 b. 95.4 c. 382 d. 763.4
8. What is the API gravity of pure water.
a. 100 b. 131.50 c. 141.50 d. 1000
9. What is the maximum drawbar horsepower for a category II farm tractor with three point hitch.
a. 20 b. 45 c. 100 d. 225
10. A tractor has a wheelbase off 90 in and weighs 7800 lb. The static weight on the front wheels is 2,300 lb.
Calculate the location of the center of gravity longitudinally with respect to the rear axle.
a. 25.6” b. 30” c. 60” d. 63.5”
11. How much power can a 1000-lb horse deliver if it is working continuously for several hours and walking at a rate
of 2.5 mph?
a. 0.1 b. 0.67 c. 1.0 d. 1.33
12. The electrolyte used in the lead-acid cell consists o a mixture of how many parts chemically pure, concentrated
sulfuric acid to how many parts distilled water?
a. 2:5 b. 5:2 c. 1:3 d. 3:1
13. It is equivalent to 1,980,000 ft-lb of work.
a. 1 hp b. 1 hp-hr c. 1 kW d. 746 kW-hr
14. A tractor operation at a speed of 3 mph develops a drawbar pull of 2000 lb. Compute the drawbar hp.
a. 8 b. 16 c. 32 d. 64
15. What is the displacement volume for a 3 x 4” engine having 4-stroke cycle, 4 cylinders at 1500 rpm.
a. 113 b. 21,208 c. 42,412 d. 84,823
16. What is the piston speed for 4-cylinder, 2-stroke cycle 4x 6” diesel engine running at 2500 rpm in fpm.
a. 1250 b. 2500 c. 5000 d. 30,000
17. What is the swept volume for a 3 x 5 “ diesel engine operating on 2-stroke cycle having 4 cylinders at 1000 rpm
in in3.
a. 8.8 b. 11.8 c. 35.3 d. 141
18. What is the compression ratio for a 3 x 4” engine having 4 cylinders operation on a 2-stoke cycle at 1000 rpm if
the clearance volume is 5 in3
a. 3.3 b. 6.6 c. 10 d. 13.2
19. He advance the theory of operation of all modern types of internal combustion engines that there were 4
conditions essential for its efficient operation.
a. OTTO b. diesel c. BEAU ROCHAS d. Dugald Clerk
20. It is the ratio of the horsepower output of an engine to the fuel horsepower.
a. mechanical efficiency b. brake thermal efficiency c. tractive power efficient
d. volumetric efficiency

C. Difficult Level Questions

1. A 4-cylinder, four-stroke cycle engine with a 3- by 4 in cylinders develops 19 hp at 1650 rpm. Assuming a
mechanical efficiency of 85%, compute the ihp.
a. 16.2 b. 22.4 c. 64.8 d. 89.6
2. Compute the mep for a 4-cylinder, four stroke cycle engine with 3- by 4-in cylinder developing 19 hp at 1650
rpm. The mechanical efficiency is 85%.
a. 80 b. 95 c. 112 d. 160
3. A tractor with a 9-in pulley is belted to a prony brake having a 24-in pulley. If the tractor engine pulley speed is
950 rpm, the brake arm length is 54 in, and the net load on scales is 60 kb, what is the value of the brake
constant.
a. 4.5 b. 6.28 c. 9 d. 28.3
4. What is the piston displacement per minute for a 4 x 6 in engine having a 4 cylinders with a crankshaft speed of
1000 rpm.
a. 381,700 b. 763,400 c. 1,526,800 d. 1000
5. Assuming that air contains 22.7% oxygen, compute the number of pounds of air required for the perfect
combustion of a gallon of butane. Butane weighs 4.86 lb/gallon.
a. 3.25 b. 15.8 c. 208 d. 916.3
6. Suppose the following steam measurements have been made: average width = 12 ft; average depth = 2 ft;
velocity
per minute = 15 ft/head = 4 ft, calculate theoretical power available from this stream.
a. 1.4 b. 2.7 c. 4.2 d. 5.4
7. A tractor with a 9-in pulley is belted to a prony brake having 24-in pulley. If the engine pulley speed is 950 rpm,
the break arm length is 54 in, and the net load on scales is 60 lb, what hp is developed?
a. 9.16 b. 18.3 c. 27.5 d. 586
8. A 4-stroke cycle, 4 cylinder engine having a cylinder dimension of 25 x 50 cm runs at 154 rpm. The imep is 7.5
kg/cm2, determine the ihp.
a. 31 b. 62 c. 124 d. 17.2
9. Determine the air-to-fuel ratio by weight for the complete combustion of diesel in air?
a. 3.5 b. 7.5 c. 15 d. 22
10. Calculate the displacement volume in liters of a four stroke cycle, 4 cylinder 12 x 14 cm engine at 2000 rpm.
a. 1538 b. 6330 c. 4750 d. 7915

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CLSU- Agricultural Engineering Board Exam Review Materials

Answer Key

Easy Medium Difficult

1. C 11. D 1. B 11. B 1. B
2. C 12. D 2. C 12. A 2. B
3. D 13. D 3. B 13. B 3. D
4. C 14. B 4. C 14. B 4. B
5. B 15. B 5. C 15. D 5. A
6. D 16. D 6. A 16. B 6. C
7. C 17. B 7. C 17. D 7. B
8. C 18. C 8. A 18. B 8. C
9. C 19. B 9. C 19. C 9. C
10. B 20. D 10. A 20. B 10. B

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